Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22: The Journey to the Capital
Chapter 22: The Journey to the Capital
From Suyang to Bianliang, it would take at least two months to travel through seven cities on an ordinary horse.
However, in order to save time, Lin Shuying and I took the Tianhe First Road. We passed by cities without entering them, which saved us a great deal of time.
In front of the city lord’s mansion, two tall horses stood fully equipped. As I walked forward, I noticed their fur was soft and glossy, and their limbs were strong—clearly no ordinary steeds.
"This is a fine military horse." Lin Shuying appeared gracefully. Her three thousand strands of green silk, tied with red ribbon, made my eyes light up.
"When Master Lin came to visit, this old man often treated her poorly. These two military horses should be regarded as a token of my appreciation for the two of you." An old man in his seventies spoke with a smile on his face.
This was Luo Jiusheng, the Lord of Suyang City.
Although I had been to the city lord’s mansion many times, this was the first time I had seen this rumored city lord.
"The flower-picking thief has been executed. On behalf of the people of Suyang City, this old man thanks Master Lin and Young Friend Qin Luo." Luo Jiusheng leaned forward slightly. Lin Shuying and I quickly returned the salute.
"It was nothing more than lifting a hand. There is no need for such thanks..."
No!
Before I could finish speaking, I suddenly stood up straight and looked at Luo Jiusheng, slightly startled.
I had always called myself Qin Xuan. Except for Lin Shuying, no one knew my real name was Qin Luo.
Yet Luo Jiusheng calmly met my gaze and continued, "Then this old man will not see you off any further."
Having said that, I no longer felt like asking any questions. Lin Shuying mounted her horse and said, "We have troubled you greatly these past days. Thank you, Lord Luo."
I frowned as I mounted my horse. The two of us moved forward slowly, and the carriage behind us rolled over the bluestone road, making a slightly dull rumbling sound.
"The Qingque Dynasty has just retreated, and white clouds stretch far into the sky. It is not about taking thunderstorms, so I wish to accompany the gods on their journey."
Luo Jiusheng shouted from behind, "A miscellaneous poem. I wish both of you a safe journey!"
I turned around and saw Luo Jiusheng give me a knowing look.
Sure enough, Luo Jiusheng was also one of my mother’s secret agents. No wonder she knew immediately that I had changed my itinerary.
This made me feel as if I were surrounded by soldiers on all sides. I looked at Lin Shuying in confusion, but she said easily, "This Lord Luo is actually quite talented."
After descending the mountain, I always felt that everything was arranged. Luo Jiusheng and Zhao Qingshi were secretly protecting me on my mother’s orders, and Lin Shuying had entered Suyang City because of Bai Feizhang.
Good and evil had clashed, and I was at the center of this vortex.
Turning onto the main road in the city, I suddenly found countless people standing on both sides, cheering.
Lin Shuying seemed accustomed to such scenes. She no longer wore a veil, and a hint of a smile appeared on her cool and pretty face.
"I knew Lord Lin couldn’t be stopped!"
"Now I can finally rest assured!"
"Dog thief! Clean up my wife!"
"Who is that kid next to Lord Lin? Why does he look like he deserves a beating?"
...
Despite the extremely noisy atmosphere, I was still sharp enough to catch a few unusual comments. Lin Shuying smiled at me with some apology, and I could only shake my head helplessly.
Bai Feizhang in the carriage behind us had been pelted all over with rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs. His breath was growing weaker and weaker. If this continued, he might not last more than two days.
Looking at Lin Shuying, she seemed to understand my concerns. With a squeeze of her legs, we slightly increased our speed.
The two soldiers at the city gate were the same ones I had seen when I entered the city. One of them clearly recognized me, and his eyes were full of surprise and admiration.
It was already afternoon by the time we left the city. Lin Shuying looked at the dying Bai Feizhang in the carriage and said, "We will follow the Tianhe River. There is a low rocky beach 150 miles ahead where we can set up camp."
I nodded and looked toward the Tianhe River not far away.
Although it was called Tianhe, this long river running through the east and west of Ning State had been dug by human hands. It was also the largest project in Ning State’s history, spanning more than 120 years and three emperors.
But hard work always pays off. Tianhe not only solved the drought problem in many cities but also provided a better mode of transportation for doing business within the country.
This was a more shocking spectacle than a sword opening the gates of heaven. Millions of people had created this river of life with their blood and lives.
Monks often felt awakened every time they faced the Tianhe River. Droplets of water converge into a river. No matter how high or profound one’s cultivation, one would still feel insignificant when facing all living beings.
Until sunset, Lin Shuying and I barely spoke again. We rushed forward with all our might and finally reached the rocky beach she had mentioned before dark.
I opened the prison door. Bai Feizhang struggled with all his strength and jumped into the Tianhe River to wash away all the filth on his body.
Lin Shuying was very experienced. I don’t know where she got a few hares, but she started a fire on the shore. My eyes drifted to Bai Feizhang in the river from time to time. With his current strength, I was really afraid he would be accidentally washed away by the water.
"It’s still a bit slow." I looked toward the carriage carrying the prison cell.
Lin Shuying nodded, looked at Bai Feizhang in the river, and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"
Bai Feizhang had already taken off his clothes. When he heard Lin Shuying’s question, he didn’t feel like turning around and revealing the terrifying penis between his legs.
Lin Shuying’s face flushed. She looked away. Bai Feizhang, realizing he had lost his composure, hurriedly lowered his head and said, "As an adult, I can ride a little, but..."
Seeing his difficult expression, I naturally understood what he meant. He had trouble even walking now, let alone riding a horse.
"We can’t wait any longer." I lowered my voice. The leaping bonfire made Lin Shuying’s pretty face turn red.
"I’ll set up the tent." I had something on my mind. Lin Shuying nodded shyly, her face blushing.
"After washing up, come and eat something." I came to the carriage and threw Bai Feizhang a set of ordinary clothes.
This was within my plan. Towing the carriage would inevitably slow us down. In order to save time, Bai Feizhang had to ride a horse himself. Now that his life was in my hands, I was sure he would not try to escape.
A hint of burnt aroma came from the hares on the campfire. Bai Feizhang got dressed and swallowed unconsciously.
I didn’t need to eat, and Lin Shuying didn’t eat much. Now it was cheaper for this kid.
"Thank you, Lord!" Bai Feizhang knelt on the ground and kowtowed before taking the roasted meat from Lin Shuying.
There were trees on one side and the surging Tianhe River on the other. The rocky beach in the middle was indeed a good place to set up camp. I set up a tent without much effort.
"From now on, these miscellaneous tasks can be left to this junior." Bai Feizhang lowered his head, tearing into the roasted meat so greedily that his mouth was covered in oil.
I was slightly puzzled when I remembered that Bai Feizhang was originally a butcher.
"Will I be killed once I enter the capital?" Bai Feizhang devoured the roasted meat until it was completely gone, then tentatively looked at Lin Shuying.
"It depends on your performance." Lin Shuying said coldly. The leaping flames cast a blush on her face.
Night fell quietly, and the stars twinkled in the sky. Bai Feizhang watched Lin Shuying yawn and hurriedly said, "Lord, you can go and rest first. I will keep watch for you."
Apparently worried that Lin Shuying might become suspicious, he added, "Don’t worry, I won’t run away." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Lin Shuying’s beautiful eyes wandered as she looked at me meditating under the tree.
Our eyes met, and my mind stirred. I said to Bai Feizhang, "Go in."
"What?" Bai Feizhang couldn’t believe his ears.
"Go in and stop talking nonsense." I said coldly.
Although Bai Feizhang didn’t know what I meant, he didn’t dare disobey. He had to walk into the tent with his head bowed.
There were only Lin Shuying and I left on the shore. We slowly walked to the campfire, but I didn’t know how to speak.
The river surged and the autumn wind was gentle. I picked up a stone and threw it into the river.
"I’m not afraid." Lin Shuying’s light voice.
"What?" I stopped what I was doing.
"I’ve never been afraid since I was a child." Lin Shuying seemed to be talking to herself.
"The Ning family was full of loyal and heroic people who were murdered by traitors. By the time I wanted revenge, it was already too late."
"They’re all dead..."
"Now I just hope Qin Lang can kill your enemy and avenge your father."
A flicker of determination flashed through Lin Shuying’s eyes as she said, "Continuing Bai Feizhang’s life will allow us to first find out who is behind this, and second, help Qin Lang grow and improve. Of course I am not afraid."
A beauty’s kindness is hard to repay.
A warm current rushed through my heart. I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t speak.
A fragrant breeze arrived, and Lin Shuying plunged into my arms. Her hot red lips drew closer and closer. I lowered my head and kissed her.
"Qin Lang doesn’t need to feel guilty. This is the only thing I can do for you." Lin Shuying breathed like an orchid.
After discussing the matter of passing on the merit, I hugged Lin Shuying back into my arms and said softly, "I have wronged you..."
Fifteen minutes later, I watched Lin Shuying slowly walk into the tent.
I am now at the fourth level. I can sense the wind and grass within a ten-foot radius and quietly release my consciousness. I can clearly perceive the auras of Zhao Qingshi and his three companions.
These three people are truly loyal. Even though they know they can no longer help, they still follow my mother’s secret orders and stay hidden in the dark.
"Lord Lin!"
Bai Feizhang’s terrified voice came from inside the tent.
"Don’t kill me!"
Bai Feizhang was now mentally fragile. He immediately begged for mercy when he had a vision.
"I was forced to..."
Although I was outside the tent, I could still imagine Bai Feizhang kneeling on the ground and begging.
"Don’t talk."
Lin Shuying’s voice was cold, but I could feel her tension at the moment.
"Close your eyes."
Another voice came, and I knew the time was ripe. I put away my breath and quietly entered the tent.
